Since H830 has been rooted, I strongly believe the others will get rooted some time down the road.
In light of that, I'd like to ask experience devs or people who know about the G5 this question: what's safe to flash and what isn't?
I've had experience with the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, and flashing TMobile stuff onto Canadian variants worked no problem, would this be the same for the H830/H831?
Seeing as these variants are similar in model # and a few discussions about how rooting the H831 would stem from the H830, is it safe to flash vice-versa?
Thanks XDA!
I'd say, you shouldn't flash anything. These models are not just different in model number, but radios used, and possibly other small things too. Just because the model name is similar, it does not mean it's safe to go around flashing other variants' stock firmware.
H830 and H831 are as different as night n day when it comes to unlock, root etc.
you CANNOT flash H830 bootloader/modem on any other G5 model, period. insta-brick. and not the kind u fix with flashing stock firmware back. H831 root/unlock will never stem from H830.. so let's end all of those discussions right now. H831 is in same ballpark as the locked AT&T, Verizon and Sprint models.
the 2 partitions that you could flash and it wouldnt brick you would be boot and system.. but those probably wouldnt let u boot into android.. but you wouldnt be bricked.. could recover with KDZ.
G5 users should only flash the software for their exact model.
there are a few exceptions... H850 variants .. H850N or w/e for example could flash H850 kdz and it would not brick them.. but it also wouldnt help them with unlock since the H850 unlocks are based on IMEI in LG's database.. not the software you flash. Another exception would also be for the intl users.. someone with a German H850 could flash another countries H850 sw as the only differences might be carrier settings and languages settings.
autoprime said:
H830 and H831 are as different as night n day when it comes to unlock, root etc.
you CANNOT flash H830 bootloader/modem on any other G5 model, period. insta-brick. and not the kind u fix with flashing stock firmware back. H831 root/unlock will never stem from H830.. so let's end all of those discussions right now. H831 is in same ballpark as the locked AT&T, Verizon and Sprint models.
the 2 partitions that you could flash and it wouldnt brick you would be boot and system.. but those probably wouldnt let u boot into android.. but you wouldnt be bricked.. could recover with KDZ.
G5 users should only flash the software for their exact model.
there are a few exceptions... H850 variants .. H850N or w/e for example could flash H850 kdz and it would not brick them.. but it also wouldnt help them with unlock since the H850 unlocks are based on IMEI in LG's database.. not the software you flash. Another exception would also be for the intl users.. someone with a German H850 could flash another countries H850 sw as the only differences might be carrier settings and languages settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it's safe to flash H860 kdz on my H860N device? Not really planning to do that as I really want to play safe with my phone, but just asking
ItBankRock said:
So it's safe to flash H860 kdz on my H860N device? Not really planning to do that as I really want to play safe with my phone, but just asking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not sure if dual sim would stop working.. but it wouldnt brick you. as of today anyway.. a future update could change the qfuse version or something.. and flashing something with a lower version would cause issues.
The only people who should be considering flashing another phone's kdz are those with H850/H860 carrier versions who want something unbranded. for example.. an H850 vodafone phone user may want to flash an H850 EU OPEN kdz.
or
Bootloader unlocked H830 users could adapt a system.img (only the system img.. not a full rom.. not a kdz.. etc) to work on their phones and flash the system.img with twrp.
Thanks for the replies, that clears things up relatively simply.
The thing is, carrier H850 and EU Open H850 are NOT different SKUs. An H831 and an H830 are different SKUs and quite different HW.
fonix232 said:
The thing is, carrier H850 and EU Open H850 are NOT different SKUs. An H831 and an H830 are different SKUs and quite different HW.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As it seems so. Like I said, the Note series was a bit different, almost identical hardware with two different SKUs, but I guess the G5 is done differently.
Praying for root soon! My eyes are bleeding from night-time blue light!
Hi guys, My question is simple. How can I convert an LS997 (in ZVA version) to any other variant?
The real pourpose is get it unlocked, but I heard that other phones had success.
Thanks
luisypica said:
Hi guys, My question is simple. How can I convert an LS997 (in ZVA version) to any other variant?
The real pourpose is get it unlocked, but I heard that other phones had success.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First this should be posted in the questions and answers section. Secondly there's numerous threads related to root. You should use the search function and do some reading
Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs
ZVA is ARB 2, there is no other V20 that is ARB 2 -- you can't flash the firmware from any other model right now.
-- Brian
Yes basically Sprint and LG don't want us messing with their V20. After LS997 V20 ZV8 the ARB is raised to 2, ZV7 is the latest that can be changed to a VS995 and rooted. It can't be rooted now, but hopefully laf exploits, kdz exploits, and LGUP exploits will allow us to flash anything (promising).
patato21 said:
Yes basically Sprint and LG don't want us messing with their V20. After LS997 V20 ZV8 the ARB is raised to 2, ZV7 is the latest that can be changed to a VS995 and rooted. It can't be rooted now, but hopefully laf exploits, kdz exploits, and LGUP exploits will allow us to flash anything (promising).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will be nice to root this phone in hight versions, for people like me who need to get unlocked.
Dunno if this helps, but I just bought an LS997 that had been flashed with US996 software... and it works fine... (except idk about root and bootloader unlocking)
I've bought a used LG g6 H873 that's stuck on nougut.
this g6 is supposed to be a Canadian version so i was thinking what firmware i download as my phone is bloat free with no randon apps but just lg.
all firmware i find were named as rogers, etc so i tried lg software but that didn't recognize my phone.
than i tried to search with IMEI and it came as an sprint variant. now have tried multiple site's with IMEI and all says i have ls sprint variant... confused and worried what will happen if i go and flash h873 Canadian Oreo, because there's no ls sprint firmware to be found anywhere to roll back.
Use LG Up find the version you need should work for you.
nash211 said:
Use LG Up find the version you need should work for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as I've already said, "i have tried lg software" it didn't recognized my phone.
Then possibly it is the drivers you have installed need to be changed. Try changing those.
atifsh said:
I've bought a used LG g6 H873 that's stuck on nougut.
this g6 is supposed to be a Canadian version so i was thinking what firmware i download as my phone is bloat free with no randon apps but just lg.
all firmware i find were named as rogers, etc so i tried lg software but that didn't recognize my phone.
than i tried to search with IMEI and it came as an sprint variant. now have tried multiple site's with IMEI and all says i have ls sprint variant... confused and worried what will happen if i go and flash h873 Canadian Oreo, because there's no ls sprint firmware to be found anywhere to roll back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your phone probably had a blacklisted IMEI, and so the person your bought it from took the IMEI from a Sprint G6 and slapped it on.
LG Update uses the IMEI along with various other information to determine what version it should apply. Since it doesn't recognize your phone, that makes sense, as there will be mismatches.
Even if it was a Sprint phone, you are safe flashing H873 firmware (all G6s can cross flash except the H872)
-- Brian
runningnak3d said:
Your phone probably had a blacklisted IMEI, and so the person your bought it from took the IMEI from a Sprint G6 and slapped it on.
LG Update uses the IMEI along with various other information to determine what version it should apply. Since it doesn't recognize your phone, that makes sense, as there will be mismatches.
Even if it was a Sprint phone, you are safe flashing H873 firmware (all G6s can cross flash except the H872)
-- Brian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks Brian, i actually found the culprit, apparently this phone is not Frankenstein but a normal sprint phone that was flashed to a non branded Canadian firmware.
so i went ahead and just flashed the 8.0 of Canadian G6 GSM firmware and it went fine without issues and now i'm on Oreo.
Hello! I plan getting an LG V20, yet i can't seem to determine which of the variants have the most support (As in custom roms, kernels, recoveries, unbrick, etc...).
My previous device, the V10 T-Mobile version had an unlocked bootloader but couldn't be flashed with a custom rom or downgraded due to LG enabling the QFuse or Anti-Rollback.
I am hoping to get myself a V20 variant that has the most support and also free from anti-rollbacks like my previous V10.
Get and ATT. But it should be less than android 8.0 oreo or oreo 20g software version. Preferably on Android 7.0
TMobile one android 7.0 is also good. But I prefer h910 ATT
princedede said:
Get and ATT. But it should be less than android 8.0 oreo or oreo 20g software version. Preferably on Android 7.0
TMobile one android 7.0 is also good. But I prefer h910 ATT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion. Could you elaborate as to why i need to get a device that is less than android 8.0?
Back on my T-Mobile V10, the last official android version (MM) came with all the lock down that made it impossible to falsh the device.
Is it so with the V20s running Oreo?
Thanks for starting this thread, I was wondering too, especially regarding the T-Mobile and Verizon version as there seems to be plenty of them out there for a lesser price. I personally have an unlocked US996, but was thinking about picking up a ATT h910. The V20 is an amazing phone, what I'd consider one of the last "great phones" that had it all-hardware wise: removable battery, expandable memory, IR blaster, 3.5mm headphone jack, and an FM player.... in addition the Quad DAC and content creation features made it even sweeter (manual mode for the camera, very competent microphone). Though we all complained about LG's horrible software updates, in my book this phone is a beast and a legend, speaking hardware wise, they don't make 'em like this anymore...sadly so too..
ssnova said:
Thanks for starting this thread, I was wondering too, especially regarding the T-Mobile and Verizon version as there seems to be plenty of them out there for a lesser price. I personally have an unlocked US996, but was thinking about picking up a ATT h910. The V20 is an amazing phone, what I'd consider one of the last "great phones" that had it all-hardware wise: removable battery, expandable memory, IR blaster, 3.5mm headphone jack, and an FM player.... in addition the Quad DAC and content creation features made it even sweeter (manual mode for the camera, very competent microphone). Though we all complained about LG's horrible software updates, in my book this phone is a beast and a legend, speaking hardware wise, they don't make 'em like this anymore...sadly so too..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The V20 seems like a great device...judging from my previous V10. It is the reason why i am choosing to get the V20 over the Xiaomi Note 7 or Xiaomi 7.
But i still need a bit of clarification as to what makes some V20 variants better than others and why i am required to get a variant with Nougat instead of Oreo.
I just wanna get a variant that isn't locked down like my V10 was. Any suggestions or explanations on the matter is very welcome.
mickeyasamoah said:
The V20 seems like a great device...judging from my previous V10. It is the reason why i am choosing to get the V20 over the Xiaomi Note 7 or Xiaomi 7.
But i still need a bit of clarification as to what makes some V20 variants better than others and why i am required to get a variant with Nougat instead of Oreo.
I just wanna get a variant that isn't locked down like my V10 was. Any suggestions or explanations on the matter is very welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand, and I'm on a similar boat, as my US996 is stock and I'd like to pick up another one to run LOS/community developed and I was wondering if there was a more preferable V20 variant over the other. Hopefully someone more acquainted with the subject matter can chime in.
mickeyasamoah said:
Thanks for the suggestion. Could you elaborate as to why i need to get a device that is less than android 8.0?
Back on my T-Mobile V10, the last official android version (MM) came with all the lock down that made it impossible to falsh the device.
Is it so with the V20s running Oreo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is. That's why it's better to have a V20 with Android 7. For ATT H910, android 8.0 on version g is still rootable. 8.0 version H, I can't say. So basically just get the one with Android 7.0 installed
---------- Post added at 11:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:54 AM ----------
ssnova said:
I understand, and I'm on a similar boat, as my US996 is stock and I'd like to pick up another one to run LOS/community developed and I was wondering if there was a more preferable V20 variant over the other. Hopefully someone more acquainted with the subject matter can chime in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-mobile, ATT V20 is okay. U can get any. But let it be on Android 7.0
ssnova said:
I understand, and I'm on a similar boat, as my US996 is stock and I'd like to pick up another one to run LOS/community developed and I was wondering if there was a more preferable V20 variant over the other. Hopefully someone more acquainted with the subject matter can chime in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow! Isn't the US996 supposed to be the Non-Branded version of the V20 which allows bootloader unlocks from the LG website?
princedede said:
Yes it is. That's why it's better to have a V20 with Android 7. For ATT H910, android 8.0 on version g is still rootable. 8.0 version H, I can't say. So basically just get the one with Android 7.0 installed
---------- Post added at 11:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:54 AM ----------
T-mobile, ATT V20 is okay. U can get any. But let it be on Android 7.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the clarification. But what of the US996 version which is supposed to be the version unlockable from the LG website? Does it also have to be on android 7.0 too or does it not matter what version it might be on?
mickeyasamoah said:
Thanks for the clarification. But what of the US996 version which is supposed to be the version unlockable from the LG website? Does it also have to be on android 7.0 too or does it not matter what version it might be on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Due to the official LG support, the version should not matter for the unlocked US996. The tricky part may be actually finding the correct phone as there are two other US996 variants that are not unlockable from the LG website. The unlocked one has "USA" written to the right of the barcode on the sticker behind the battery, as seen in a couple of photos in this thread. The other two US996 models have "UCL" and "BPT" written instead.
Of course, all of them can be rooted and have custom ROMs, but it's a lot easier to get there on the US996 USA.
Generally, I'd say the US996 USA alongside the H910 and H918 have the most custom ROM support around here. Not sure if it matters to you, but do note that all the US996 models have the FM radio disabled. And generally, getting a V20 already on Oreo is not a huge problem (except for the LS997 model where it's unrootable due to anti-rollback) since you can still downgrade to Nougat to do the TWRP installation/rooting procedure.
C D said:
Due to the official LG support, the version should not matter for the unlocked US996. The tricky part may be actually finding the correct phone as there are two other US996 variants that are not unlockable from the LG website. The unlocked one has "USA" written to the right of the barcode on the sticker behind the battery, as seen in a couple of photos in this thread. The other two US996 models have "UCL" and "BPT" written instead.
Of course, all of them can be rooted and have custom ROMs, but it's a lot easier to get there on the US996 USA.
Generally, I'd say the US996 USA alongside the H910 and H918 have the most custom ROM support around here. Not sure if it matters to you, but do note that all the US996 models have the FM radio disabled. And generally, getting a V20 already on Oreo is not a huge problem (except for the LS997 model where it's unrootable due to anti-rollback) since you can still downgrade to Nougat to do the TWRP installation/rooting procedure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, this answers a lot. I was kind of confused because the other day I came across a thread about "cross flashing" V20's, from what I gather, you could flash a.. say H910 to US996, didn't delve too deep into it, but had me scratching my head, sounded like it almost didn't matter what version of V20 you got, you could do almost anything with it.
To the OP, yes the US996 is an unlocked US variant, but I'm gonna keep it stock for now.
C D said:
Due to the official LG support, the version should not matter for the unlocked US996. The tricky part may be actually finding the correct phone as there are two other US996 variants that are not unlockable from the LG website. The unlocked one has "USA" written to the right of the barcode on the sticker behind the battery, as seen in a couple of photos in this thread. The other two US996 models have "UCL" and "BPT" written instead.
Of course, all of them can be rooted and have custom ROMs, but it's a lot easier to get there on the US996 USA.
Generally, I'd say the US996 USA alongside the H910 and H918 have the most custom ROM support around here. Not sure if it matters to you, but do note that all the US996 models have the FM radio disabled. And generally, getting a V20 already on Oreo is not a huge problem (except for the LS997 model where it's unrootable due to anti-rollback) since you can still downgrade to Nougat to do the TWRP installation/rooting procedure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh my word! Thank you so very much for this detailed explanation, This indeed answers 90% of my questions.
Since anti-rollback wasn't enabled on all the variants except that LS997 variant, getting a v20 on Oreo doesn't mean the end of modding for the device, as i can always downgrade to an Nougat and root the device. Right?
Oh...and if i read you correctly, All V20 models except for the US996 model have FM Radio functionality enabled.
I can't wait to get myself a V20 now as all my previous LG devices were T-Mobile branded and did not have FM Radio support.
It's great to know that FM radio works on even the T-Mobile variant of the V20.
Thanks again for the detailed clarification.
ssnova said:
Thanks, this answers a lot. I was kind of confused because the other day I came across a thread about "cross flashing" V20's, from what I gather, you could flash a.. say H910 to US996, didn't delve too deep into it, but had me scratching my head, sounded like it almost didn't matter what version of V20 you got, you could do almost anything with it.
To the OP, yes the US996 is an unlocked US variant, but I'm gonna keep it stock for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rodger that!
With @C D's detailed explanation, I might get the T-Mobile Variant of the V20 as the bootloader on T-Mobile variants of all my previous LG devices were really easy to unlock with the following fastboot command without any unlock code or unlock.bin file.
Code:
fastboot oem unlock
I just hope the bootloader unlock process is as straight forward on the V20 too.
mickeyasamoah said:
Oh my word! Thank you so very much for this detailed explanation, This indeed answers 90% of my questions.
Since anti-rollback wasn't enabled on all the variants except that LS997 variant, getting a v20 on Oreo doesn't mean the end of modding for the device, as i can always downgrade to an Nougat and root the device. Right?
Oh...and if i read you correctly, All V20 models except for the US996 model have FM Radio functionality enabled.
I can't wait to get myself a V20 now as all my previous LG devices were T-Mobile branded and did not have FM Radio support.
It's great to know that FM radio works on even the T-Mobile variant of the V20.
Thanks again for the detailed clarification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're correct about downgrading. In fact, if you look at whatever rooting guide you end up following, it will most likely involve downgrading to Nougat.
A few more bits of info:
- The T-Mobile H918 actually does have anti-rollback, too, but can still be rooted using a different procedure. You can still downgrade to a certain version number.
- Another model with the FM radio disabled is the Verizon VS995, but someone on here cross-flashed it with H910 firmware to get FM radio working and only had to flash the VS995 modem files to get it going. Same thing has been done to US996 models, but apparently, the front and back cameras get flipped as a side effect.
mickeyasamoah said:
Rodger that!
With @C D's detailed explanation, I might get the T-Mobile Variant of the V20 as the bootloader on T-Mobile variants of all my previous LG devices were really easy to unlock with the following fastboot command without any unlock code or unlock.bin file.
Code:
fastboot oem unlock
I just hope the bootloader unlock process is as straight forward on the V20 too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only for the US996 USA, sadly. Most of the procedures for the other variants are quite unusual with plenty of steps, so read up carefully before you dive in. I have done it for two older LS997s while I also bought a used US996 USA and H918 that already came rooted.
Also, if you are going for the T-Mobile H918, absolutely make sure it is carrier SIM unlocked. As far as I'm aware, a locked H918 can only be unlocked if you are a current T-Mobile USA customer or via a paid service which can cost more than $80 USD (almost the price of a used V20). It's nothing like the simple unlock PIN codes you may have seen for other carriers.
C D said:
You're correct about downgrading. In fact, if you look at whatever rooting guide you end up following, it will most likely involve downgrading to Nougat.
A few more bits of info:
- The T-Mobile H918 actually does have anti-rollback, too, but can still be rooted using a different procedure. You can still downgrade to a certain version number.
- Another model with the FM radio disabled is the Verizon VS995, but someone on here cross-flashed it with H910 firmware to get FM radio working and only had to flash the VS995 modem files to get it going. Same thing has been done to US996 models, but apparently, the front and back cameras get flipped as a side effect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow....If the T-Mobile variant does come with anti-rollback, then i guess i would have to refrain from it even tho it might be downgradeable to some extent. Anti-rollbacks are always up to no good. Downgrade too much and u risk blowing a Qfuse or something.
Moving forward....How is the AT&T variant? Does it have any anti-rollbacks? I would rather have a variant that has no anti-rollback even if it's rooting or unlocking guide might be much complicated as compared to the H918.
C D said:
Only for the US996 USA, sadly. Most of the procedures for the other variants are quite unusual with plenty of steps, so read up carefully before you dive in. I have done it for two older LS997s while I also bought a used US996 USA and H918 that already came rooted.
Also, if you are going for the T-Mobile H918, absolutely make sure it is carrier SIM unlocked. As far as I'm aware, a locked H918 can only be unlocked if you are a current T-Mobile USA customer or via a paid service which can cost more than $80 USD (almost the price of a used V20). It's nothing like the simple unlock PIN codes you may have seen for other carriers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The anti-rollback on the H918 has really thrown me off. Else, the T-Mobile variants of all the LG devices i owned in the past were SIM unlocked. So that wouldn't have been an issue.
mickeyasamoah said:
Wow....If the T-Mobile variant does come with anti-rollback, then i guess i would have to refrain from it even tho it might be downgradeable to some extent. Anti-rollbacks are always up to no good. Downgrade too much and u risk blowing a Qfuse or something.
Moving forward....How is the AT&T variant? Does it have any anti-rollbacks? I would rather have a variant that has no anti-rollback even if it's rooting or unlocking guide might be much complicated as compared to the H918.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only the H918 and LS997 have anti-rollback, so you'd be safe with the H910. However, both the LS997 and H910 (by now you probably realize how ridiculous LG has been with all these variations) have no official firmware (.kdz) files, so I'm not sure how difficult it would be to restore the phone in the unlikely scenario that you somehow lose TWRP recovery.
Look at the rooting guides specific to both H910 and H918 to see what you're up against and what pitfalls may lie ahead before you decide.
C D said:
Only the H918 and LS997 have anti-rollback, so you'd be safe with the H910. However, both the LS997 and H910 (by now you probably realize how ridiculous LG has been with all these variations) have no official firmware (.kdz) files, so I'm not sure how difficult it would be to restore the phone in the unlikely scenario that you somehow lose TWRP recovery.
Look at the rooting guides specific to both H910 and H918 to see what you're up against and what pitfalls may lie ahead before you decide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh My! These are some of the things LG does that made me say to myself in the past..."This would be my last LG device." But somehow, i keep finding myself crawling to LG.
Like you said, i have to read as to determine which variant's shortcomings is less damaging.
Before i go digging into V20 threads, is it possible the H910 has a tot even tho it doesn't have a kdz?
mickeyasamoah said:
Oh My! These are some of the things LG does that made me say to myself in the past..."This would be my last LG device." But somehow, i keep finding myself crawling to LG.
Like you said, i have to read as to determine which variant's shortcomings is less damaging.
Before i go digging into V20 threads, is it possible the H910 has a tot even tho it doesn't have a kdz?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never seen any firmware files at all available for the H910, and other V20 variants have KDZs only, no TOT files.
C D said:
I have never seen any firmware files at all available for the H910, and other V20 variants have KDZs only, no TOT files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow....LG really makes sure each variant lacks something. H918 has easy bootloader unlock but a dreadful anti-rollback, H910 has no rollback but has no firmware files.
I was just reading and i noticed that the anti-rollback on the H918 was introduced in the firmware version 10K.
Does this mean that an H918 with firmware version 10K and below would be fine? If yes, would a rooted H918 with 10K be able to flash custom Oreo ROMs?